Discussion Rubric - Draft

Category	Beginner	Growing	Intermediate	Advanced	Total
Initial Response&Quality of Information	Sketchy or incomplete response OR chose to respond to only a few aspects/ questions Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic or simply restates the main concept	Responds to all aspects/questions, but with minimal content Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given	Complete and articulate response to most aspects/questions Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides at least 2 supporting details or example.	Complete, articulate, and thoughtful/critical/reflective response to all aspects/questions Information clearly relates to the main topic and adds new concepts, information. It includes several supporting details and/or examples
Replies /Participation	Commented on a few others' postings in an sketchy manner	Commented on a few others' postings with a few reasons, examples, or questions	Commented on several others' postings with a few reasons, examples, or questions	Commented on several others' postings in an articulate and thoughtful manner, with important reasons, examples, or questions Encourages and facilitates interaction among members of the online community
Word Choice	Uses a limited vocabulary or has not searched for words to convey specific meaning Ideas easily confused by audience	Vocabulary is functional, but minimal Difficult to figure out the writer's meaning on some points	Vocabulary is functional, but lacks energy Easy to figure out the writer's meaning on a general level	Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way Words are powerful and engaging Easy to figure out the writer's meaning on all levels
Polite /Encouraging	Rarely polite	Usually polite	Always polite	Always polite and often encouraging

Ideas borrowed from a rubric by Drs. Amy Finch and Liane Connelly (2001 )- Fort Hays State University